Issue 109 | Celebrity | 33
Copa del Rey 2017
The Kings Cup – The Copa Del Rey. One of the most prestigious international yachting events in the world – is held here at Club Nautico in the islands capital. This year the regatta even surpassed the dreams and hopes of the organisers. Celebrating the 36th Copa del Rey, the largest fleet ever to have taken place within the history of the event raised their sails in Mallorca, over one hundred and thirty world class yachts and their crews competed in the ten cup winning categories. Top teams from throughout the yachting world gathered here in Palma, the very elite and the best crews of the professional circuits, made up over twenty-four different nationalities. They were all here to sail for the top awards – this was to be one of the most competitive and challenging regattas ever to be held. With HRM.King Felipe V1, as helmsman of Aifos (BMW Orc1 Class), the regatta was already achieving all the glamour and status of a Hollywood movie. Amongst the tangle of hundreds of crewmembers and support staff, celebrities from many nationalities constantly visited the port. Besides the competing crews and support technicians, over two hundred port staff worked tirelessly to help organise and smooth out the troubling logistics. It was non-stop action with yachts docking, leaving and crews changing sails, support staff jostling to make repairs and equipment being ferried backwards and forwards, then with visiting celebrities and of course the press in attendance - the whole event was like a huge film set. We have reported on the Copa Del Rey many times over the years and the attendance of King Felipe is paramount, his devotion to and participation in the actual sailing gives the event a Royal splendour that cannot be over estimated. Possibly the only sadness was the absence of His Majesty Juan Carlos, another enthusiastic sailor who alongside his son, HRM King Felipe, previously competed here in both the islands Breitling Regatta and the Copa Del Rey, with the two Royals together, it truly was a golden age.
Celebbrity Images; His Majesty King Felipe photographed by Ken & Angela Ross
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